SIGNALScape

Northrop Grumman Corporation's MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) program has received a U.S. Navy modification award to a previous firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of three VTUAV systems. This award, for an amount not to exceed $40 million, is the last of three planned low-rate initial production (LRIP) buys.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has been awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies Incorporated to support the U.S. Army Communications and Electronics Command by providing operations and user maintenance support to Tactical Biometrics Systems. SAIC's subcontract has a total contract value of more than $115 million if all options are exercised.

G.I. Woodshop helps bring a little bit of home to troops overseas by shipping hobby and woodshop items to deployed service members. These tools are difficult to obtain in combat zones, and for troops to do something as simple as hanging a picture they have to search for a nail and a hammer (frequently a combat boot!).

Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) has been awarded a prime contract under the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Omnibus Contract, known as STOC II. Under the terms of the contract, DRC will develop and support simulation and training systems to train U.S. soldiers with critical warfighting skills.

The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon Company $173 million to provide second-generation infrared kits for a variety of combat systems. The firm-fixed-price award modifies an existing contract and provides an additional 6,153 Horizontal Technology Integration Second Generation-Forward Looking Infrared Block 1 A/B-Kits.

BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P. is being awarded a $22.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee Navy contract for technical, engineering and management support services in support of the Assault Amphibious Vehicle family of vehicles. This contract contains options that if exercised will bring the contract value to $41.6 million.

CSC has received a subcontract from Vision Technologies Incorporated to provide information technology infrastructure services for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development. CSC estimates the value of its subcontract to be $44 million.

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $36.9 million cost-plus-award-fee contract from the U.S. Army to enhance the capabilities of the Biometric Intelligence Resource system, which uses biometric data such as fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scans to identify and track individuals of interest in the Global War on Terrorism.

Praxis Incorporated is being awarded a $5.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Navy for satellite communication, comprehensive maritime awareness research and development, and associated services. This contract contains options that if exercised could bring the value of the contract to $31 million.

Sentinels of Freedom awards scholarships to wounded veterans-but this money does not lead to a degree. Instead, the organization provides "life scholarships" in an effort to help the injured readjust to civilian life and their new physical challenges. Through donations of time, money, goods and scholarships, veterans receive housing, transportation and employment and education assistance.